Domestic Animal Behavior for Veterinarians and Animal Scientists » (5th Edition)

Katherine Albro Houpt,VMD, PhD is emeritus professor of Animal Behavior at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists, and Director of Animal Behavior Consultants of Northern Michigan.

Domestic Animal Behavior, Fifth Edition is a fully updated revision of this popular, classic text. Maintaining the foundation of earlier editions, chapters examine key behavior issues ranging from communication to social structure. Each chapter covers a wide variety of domestic animals including cats, dogs, horses, pigs, sheep, and cattle.

The Fifth Edition also expands its coverage on new key areas of behavior research, including cognition and the genetics of behavior, and provides valuable, current information on normal and aberrant behaviors. Domestic Animal Behavior, Fifth Edition is a must-have resource for veterinarians and animal scientists seeking a more thorough understanding of the principles of animal behavior.

Key Features:

• Fully updated revision of popular, classic text

• Maintains the foundation of earlier editions with chapters that look at key behavior issues ranging from communication to social structure

• Covers a wide variety of domestic animals including cats, dogs, horses, pigs, sheep, and cattle

• Expands coverage on new key areas of behavior research, including cognition and perception and the genetics of behavior

• Provides valuable, current information on normal and aberrant behaviors

Doody Review Services

Reviewer:Karen L Campbell, DVM, MS, DACVIM, DACVD(University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine)
Description:This is the fourth edition of a book delineating common behaviors in domestic animals. The nine chapters are supplemented by an index, glossary, and 1874 references. The third edition was published in 1998.
Purpose:The author's goal is to provide updated information on common types of behavior including perception, communication, and cognition of free-ranging and confined cattle, sheep, goats, horses, pigs, dogs, and cats. Interest in animal behavior and implications of animal behavior in animal welfare is very high, therefore the author's goals are worthy ones which were achieved in this book.
Audience:This book is written for animal science and veterinary students, an appropriate audience as this book provides broad overviews of normal behavior in the major species of domestic mammals and also examples of abnormal behaviors and their management. The author has excellent credentials as a diplomate and past president of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists and is the director of the Animal Behavior Clinic at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine.
Features:This book provides an overview of normal social, sexual, maternal and ingestive behaviors of cattle, sheep, goats, horses, pigs, dogs, and cats. It also discusses assessments of intelligence, sensory perception, learning patterns, aggressive behavior, and a variety of miscellaneous behavioral disorders. The glossary and extensive reference list are unique features of this book that will increase its value to students. Excellent line drawings are used to illustrate the body language of animals.
Assessment:This will be a valuable resource for students and scientists seeking a greater understanding of normal animal behavior of the most commonly domesticated mammals. The updated information and reference listing justifies the purchase of this new edition. It provides broad overviews and selected examples. It does not provide in-depth discussions of behavioral problems affecting dogs and cats, so additional books will be needed by veterinarians and pet owners seeking detailed information on pet behavioral problems.